Ireland can overtake Wales and become the world’s number one team if they beat England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Wales officially moved top of World Rugby’s rankings for the very first time after beating Eddie Jones’ side in Cardiff last Saturday, and Ireland could imitate them with a success over the same opponents.
Any sort of win would be enough for Ireland to go top ahead of the Grand Slam champions, while England could also move up the rankings with a win.
Currently fifth, the English would leapfrog South Africa with any sort of victory, and a win by more than 15 points would be enough to overtake Ireland as well.
Meanwhile, in the weekend’s other game featuring Guinness Six Nations sides, Scotland can move back ahead of France with a win.
Les Bleus jumped above the Scots to seventh last weekend thanks to their 32-3 success in Nice. But Gregor Townsend’s team will move back ahead of their opponents if they can avenge that loss.
SCOTTISH REACTION AGAINST FRENCH CONTINUITY
Gregor Townsend and Jacques Brunel had contrasting reactions to last week’s encounter in Nice, with France making just four changes to their team, while Scotland made 14.
Stuart Hogg is the only player who remains in the Scottish starting XV, with Greig Laidlaw taking over as captain as he and Finn Russell are paired in the half-backs.
France also welcome back their captain, Guilhem Guirado, with Félix Lambey, Arthur Iturria and Thomas Ramos the other changes to the team.
Scotland v France 1.10pm, BT Murrayfield
TARGETING NUMBER ONE
Joe Schmidt’s team have been training in Portugal this week following their opening victory over Italy in Dublin.
As well as the carrot of the rankings lead, Ireland’s players are also still pushing for a spot on the plane to Japan, with the current squad of 40 still needing to be trimmed to 31.
Eddie Jones has already made those decisions, and after splitting the two games with Wales, will be looking for a big performance from his team in their penultimate warm-up encounter.
England v Ireland 3pm, Twickenham
